Toys: A child development essential
Beyond just entertainment, toys now play a significant role in a child’s growth and development.
Because children spend most of their time playing, almost everything learned during the early childhood years is done through play. With this, the toys that should be made available to children are very important. Some toys may be labeled educational, but anything a child plays with that enhances natural growth and development in a positive way can be an educational toy.
Here are some ways by which toys prove to be essential aids for parents in raising their kids to be well-developed individuals:
More than Child’s Play
The best educational toys are those that invite children to explore a variety of ways to play with them. For example, balls and push-and-pull toys are most appropriate in developing a child’s gross motor skills. Meanwhile, natural wooden building block sets help children develop fine motor skills and at the same time stimulate their creativity.
Other kinds of creative play activities include art sessions where children can draw, color, or even just tear papers. These classes stimulate imagination among toddlers as well as strengthen their small muscles which they use in holding pencils and scissors.
On the other hand, for receptive and expressive language development, reading to your child and exploring books together can be the most beneficial tool. Also, word games enhance vocabulary and spelling skills. Board games teach a child to take turns and follow the rules while increasing language and counting skills. Jigsaw puzzles, scientific toys, electronic and computerized toys are all useful for cognitive development. Children can explore new ideas and interests with scientific toys like microscopes. These toys become venues where children can learn more about letters, shapes, science or geography.
Toying with Development
Though not all toys provide educational benefits, any item that invites a child to explore, create, or discover can be considered educational. A perfect place where parents can find educational toys for their kids is Pocketful of Kids, the very first toy village in the Philippines that allows children to try out and experience toys from popular American and European brands.
The interactive store features brands like Melissa & Doug, the number one wooden educational toys in the United States which carries everything from puzzles to play food. They also have Learning Resources that offers educational toys as well as a wide range of teaching resources that aid parents and teachers in developing the cognitive and motor skills of children.
The toy village is also filled with novelty items such as toothbrushes with built-in hourglasses, wire and magnetic bead mazes, and scientifically themed toys.
By bringing the possibility of linking playtime into learning, toys should aim to help children learn and significantly influence their minds. That’s why generally, toys have indeed moved from just items for amusement to essential partners of parents.
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Pocketful of Kids will open the first toy village in the Philippines on Saturday, Oct. 25. For inquiries, call 0922-8563888 or visit 15/F Strata 2000, Emerald Ave., Ortigas.
